A local dairy specialist has said that 2025 has been a "positive" for dairy farmers.
James Dunne is Teagasc Dairy Specialist based in Ballyhaise.
He pointed to strong prices for milk and livestock, and also good weather for grass growth as factors that contributed to a positive year.
However, Mr. Dunne highlighted that there has been a significant downturn in milk prices that will impact farmers over the winter, and into next spring.
He believes this sharpens the focus on the need for good technical performance and cost control.
Mr. Dunne was speaking to Northern Sound ahead of Teagasc's National Dairy Conference in the Hotel Kilmore this Thursday.
The theme of this year's event is 'Pathways to Progress'.
The dairy specialist outlined that there is always volatility in milk markets, and called for farmers to double down on efficiency.
He said: "The fact that we are a nation exporting a lot of product, we are reliant on international milk prices.
"That volatility, the only way you can address that at farm level is doubling down on efficiency.
"That's looking at cost control and ensuring that we have a clear understanding, in terms of our production costs at farm level.
"It's looking at costs, and seeing how efficiently can we actually produce this milk," Mr. Dunne added.
